Process of withdrawal of cases against tribals begins

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed concerned over the atrocities of Scheduled Tribe villagers in Bastar division and called for review of the cases registered against them by police. The process of withdrawal of cases has begun.

A seven-member review committee was constituted on March 8, 2019 under chairmanship of retired Justice A K Patnaik. Based on the committee’s recommendation after two meetings, the law and legal affairs department has decided to withdraw the prosecution of Scheduled Tribes after review. The law department has under CrPC section 321 provisions has decided to withdraw the cases for which eight district magistrates have been sent a letter to act immediately on it.

Similarly, among the cases filed under Chhattisgarh Excise Act, around 313 will also be withdrawn for which the recommendations have been sent to law department. The committee has sent 312 cases filed under IPC for review to Director General of Police.

A committee has been constituted by the DGP which will look into cases filed under Section 265A, 265B and 321 of CrPC provisions. The panel will then submit the report to Justice Patnaik committee.